Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
28 Jun 2025
Reply rate
83.3 %
Usually responds within 12 days
Feedback
11
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Kia ora I am from the uk originally but came to Wellington for a week around 20 years ago and didn't leave!
I am generally pretty laid back- and in the evenings I enjoy relaxing with a cup of tea. I love to hear about different cultures and life experiences.
A bad back has meant I wasn't able to do as much as I used to physically. That and other priorities has meant the home and garden needs a bit (ok...a lot) of love and skill. If you tell me what you enjoy doing am sure we can find a perfect mini project!
My children are both now adults and have left home for their own adventures.
Location-wise there is a local walking track nearby and 2km down hill to the local beaches (good for surfing) and marine reserve (good for swimming/ snorkeling) and the same distance to local bars/ shops or 5km to Courtenay place / Cuba street (Wellington CBD) or Airport. Bus service (both routes #23 and #29 are close by) runs hourly during the day.
On street parking (free) available if you have a car or campervan.
I love exchanging travel stories (both past and planned), and hearing about life stories - but can also give you some space to chill on your own if you prefer.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Self development
Technology
Sustainability
Culture
Events & social
Plant care
DIY & crafts
Books
Camping
Nature
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I love meeting new people and hearing about their culture and life experiences.
Due to my other commitments, I will not be working alongside you during the day during weekdays (at weekends it depends on my other plans) but I always make time in the evenings to catch up and chinwag.
Happy to introduce you to Settlers of Catan, yahtzee or chess and can share what I have learnt about the NZ culture (I have 2 grown up children so learnt through playcentre/ school curriculum)
Help
There are always DIY jobs that come with owning an old home...sanding, painting, minor repairs, garden tidy up, landscaping - or maybe you can fit kickboards, fix a radiogram, install a ground vapour barrier etc. If you have a problem solving mindset and the physical capability there will always be a new challenge to try. Please let me know what you enjoy doing and your preferred dates and will let you know if I can host :)
There are lots of other mini projects to choose from depending on your skills and preferences...and how long you would like to stay in the coolest little capital city in the world!
Outdoors my goal is to transform the current jungle like, messy garden into a well balanced, maintainable eco friendly garden (space to chill/relax, some paved spaces and space to grow fruit and veges)...I have a rough idea based on permaculture principles but need someone who is handy on the tools and capable to make it happen and perhaps bring a little vision of their own! Would love it if some of the existing materials can be repurposed as much as possible.
As it is autumn, my current preference is to host guests that can do ANY of the following : sand/prep/ paint, install a ground vapour barrier, put in a patio (approx 5 x 5m),general house maintenance tasks (replacing trim, putting up shelves), lift heavy items, heavier duty pre-winter garden tasks (digging, moving dirt/trees/gravel, cutting branches etc), landscaping construction like putting in a garden wall or a small walkway/path or a bit of a gazebo?, replace a shed roof...or perhaps car paint prep/paint touchup or tool maintenance/repair?
Over winter months the preference will be to host someone able to rip out a small bathroom, install alcoves in wall, replace lino, tile walls and paint (my plumber would install the new toilet and sink/vanity).
Accommodation and food/ meals in exchange for 3hrs per person per nights accommodation (21hrs per week).
Happy to be flexible on times etc so you also get to enjoy Wellington while here although some projects may need to be done on specific days (for example, if I need to assist or be available to provide input it would typically need to be a weekend day) and any power tool use needs to be during the day (I prefer to keep the neighbours happy!). Please let me know if you have any specific preferences on when you work etc.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Intermediate
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Always happy to learn a new language and to help others practice their English
Accommodation
Happy to accommodate individuals or couples or can make arrangements if you are travelling as a small group of friends - just let me know.
Private room with shared facilities.
My home isn't flash and is a little tired with a lived in look but it has everything you need to relax, make/ eat/ share meals, play boardgames (or read a book) and of course sleep. Depending on when you visit it may be just me or others may be here. There are 2 cats who may or may not grace you with their presence...
What else ...
Singles, couples, friends (up to 3 at a time) or families are all welcome.
Must be ok with cats (there are 2).
I eat vegetarian with poultry and some seafood but not red meat like ham/ pork/ beef/ lamb (but no issues if you do!). If you are vegetarian or vegan you are welcome (please be aware there will be meat in the home).
Bus routes 23 and 29 are both within a few minutes walk.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Fibre internet and have a dining table you can work from if required
Space for parking camper vans
Free on street parking is available if you have a car or campervan.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Cats x2
Feedback (5)
We were made to feel right at home as soon as we walked through the doors, with a cup of tea and dinner waiting.
The work was really enjoyable - varying from gardening, sanding, DIY - and we were pretty much left to work independently… read more
then lots of digging, putting in posts, cutting and fitting the timber and laying a drainage pipe. He also helped me move some items. We also got to play chess, yahtzee and a couple of games of catan while… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
We were made to feel right at home as soon as we walked through the doors, with a cup of tea and dinner waiting.
The work was really enjoyable - varying from gardening, sanding, DIY - and we were pretty much left to work independently… read more
then lots of digging, putting in posts, cutting and fitting the timber and laying a drainage pipe. He also helped me move some items. We also got to play chess, yahtzee and a couple of games of catan while… read more
Her cats are lovely too and you can spend a lot of time cuddling with them.
Also, Rachael gave us some very handy tips for visiting… read more
We cannot thank her enough for her hospitality!
so I strongly recommend this host for who wants to visit and live in the Capital City.
